Reading Director of Recruitment, Brian Carey, believes 'this club can be anything it wants to' once a takeover is completed.

The former Wrexham legend first arrived back in 2022 to work alongside Head of Football Operations, Mark Bowen, to head up player recruitment.

Formerly of Tottenham Hotspur, the Irishman was a key component behind last summer's strong transfer window which saw the likes of Harvey Knibbs, Sam Smith and Lewis Wing join the club.

READ MORE: Reading FC recruitment chief on his summer of building

Boss Ruben Selles, who also arrived in the summer, managed to overturn a 10 point deficit to retain League One status with two matches to spare, something which looked impossible in November.

Talking exclusively to the Reading Chronicle, Carey admitted that the relationship came easily between in the group.

"When Ruben first came on board, and even before that when you look at the way his teams played and where he had been previously, it became quite straightforward the type of player that would suit how he wanted to go about it."

Now into month 10 of a protracted club takeover saga, there had been hopes that it would be resolved before a ball was kicked.

Six weeks remain until the League One campaign gets underway, but Reading travel to Watford on Saturday for the first friendly of the summer.

Speaking on the frustration of little progress in the saga, Carey had no doubts about the potential for the Royals.

"From the first day I walked into the training ground I thought it would only be a matter of time," Carey told the Reading Chronicle. "When somebody gets it, and it gets into the right hands, this club can be anything.

"With the right leadership and governance, this can be anything it wants to be. It is just trying to wait for that to happen. We’re all just hoping that it’s a matter of time."

Former Wycombe Wanderers chief Rob Couhig is currently thought to be the front-runner, but progress appears slow.